Retort-charging device



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Join/z Erin/[By J BRADLEY RETORT CHARGING DEVICE Filed June 25 1924 Aug. 25, 1925.

RE'IORAT/V CHARGING DEVICE Filed June 25. 1924 2 Sheats-$heet 2 W t. WMTERHMM on Altiltlit.

Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

PATENT OFFKOE.

JOSIAH BRADLEY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

RETORT-GHARGING- DEVICE.

Application filed June 25, 1924. Serial No. 722,257.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSIAH BRADLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Retort-Charging Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for extracting the volatiles from coals, lignites and other similar carbonaceous materials, and more particularly to an apparatus for extracting these volatiles by the so-called low temperature process. The apparatus made in accordance with my invention includes improvements in feeding material to be treated to a retort and reg ularly removing predetermined quantities of the material after the same has been burned to a predetermined extent to produce the necessary heat for carrying out the process and to devices for discharging the coke or other residue. The apparatus for regularly removing a predetermined quantity of the charge is made the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 715,- 774, filed May 26, 199A, and my present invention relates more particularly to the devices for regularly supplying the material and to similar devices for regularly removing the coke or other residue. As shown and described the apparatus is designed to burn a predetermined portion of the charge at the bottom of the retort in order to create the necessary heat for the extraction of the volatiles from the materials under treat ment, although, as will be understood, this method applies more particularly to the treatment of coals and similar materials and that in the extraction of the volatiles from lignites, shales and the like the heat required for carrying out the process may be supplied from any suitable external source.

I am aware that heretofore apparatus of the type to which my invention relates has been provided with devices for regularly supplying material to a retort in such a manner that the material enters the retort without breaking the vacuum which is maintained therein. Due to the consistency of the volatiles as extracted and more particularly to the pitchy nature of the heavier volatiles difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the supply and discharge de vices and particularly the supply devices in operative condition, the same becoming drum revoluble therein, the said drum having conical ends and a cylindrical central portion fitted with a mug or flange through which and the drum there is an inlet opening adapted in one position to communicate with a hopper to permit material to be treated to enter: the drum and in another position to communicate with a discharge conduit leading to the interior of the retort so as to permit the drum to automatically discharge its contents into the retort. The ring or flange member mounted on the cylindrical central portion of the drum is made to fit within a channel provided therefor in the casing, the parts being so constructed as to be easily manufactured and in operation to be substantially self-cleaning. In carrying out the invention a device similar to the sup ply device is preferably also employed for regularly discharging the coke or other residue after the same has been removed from the retort, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a sectional elevation illustrating an apparatus in which my present invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional elevation of the supply device.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation illustrating the manner in wvhich the sections of the casing are connected and the drum and its ring mounted therein.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus made in accordance therewith is preferably placed on a suitable foundation l0 and includes upright support members 11 on which a grate bar 12 is mounted. This grate bar 12 is preferably hollow and is maintained in position by end plates 13 and stay bolts 14. Also mounted on suitable supports rising from the foundation and in a position above the grate bar the apparatus includes a retort 15 which, as will be understood, may be made of any suitable material and in any cross sectional configuration. At the bottom of this retort the same is preferably provided with sets of bosh bars 16 and in the sides of the retort there may be provided openings 17 for pyrometers or other instruments for ascertaining the temperatures Within the retort at different sections thereof. The retort may also be provided with a suitable metallic or other covering 18 and the entire apparatus enclosed in a housing 19 which includes an auxiliary section 20 as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

This apparatus is substantially the same as that shown in my copending application aforesaid and includes a slicer bar 21 mounted on rods 22 and 23 which at corresponding ends are connected to the slicer bar and at their opposite ends are secured in a head 24 which is mounted on a shaft 25 journaled in suitable bearings provided for this purpose in the base of the apparatus. The rods; 22 and 23 are fitted with a block 27 which is suitably connected thereto in the necessary position for being attached to a chain 28. The chain 28 passes over a, sprocket 29 mounted on a shaft 30 and also over a sprocket 31 mounted on a shaft 32. On the shaft 32 there is also a gear meshing with a worm 84 on a shaft 35, the shaft 35 being suitably connected to the shaft of a motor 86 which is mounted on a base 3'? within the auxiliary section 20 of the housing. It will now be understood that by suitable devices either manually or controlled automatically by the temperature within the retort the motor may be driven first in one direction and then in the other to operate the parts described and through the same to cause the slicer bar to travel across the grate bar and back again at predetermined intervals to remove a quantity of the charge of the material at the bottom of the retort. It will also be understood, as more fully described in my copen ing application, that the slicer bar and also the grate bars may be so constructed as to provide for a cooling medium to circulate through the same.

The apparatus also includes a device mounted above the retort for regularly supplying coal or other material thereto as indicated at 38 and which device is driven by a motor 89 or otherwise mounted on a bracket or other platform 40. This supply device which forms the subject matter of the present invention will be hereinafter more particularly described. Adjacent the upper end of the retort there is a discharge opening 41 leading from which there is a discharge pipe 42 connected to the suction end of a fan or blower 4-8. The blower 43 is driven by a motor 44 and both the motor and the blower may be mounted on a bracket or platforn'i 45. The discharge end of the blower has a pipe 46 leading therefrom to a condenser or other apparatus so as to convey the products of distillation from the retort to the condenser. These latter features, however, form no part of my present invention Mounted below the grate bar there is a discharge apparatus 47 preferably driven through a worm gear and worm wheel 48 and 49 respectively and a suitable hopper 50 is provided for conveying the coke or other residue as removed from the retort to this discharge device 4?, which discharge device may be constructed in all its details in the same manner as the supply device which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the supply device comprises a shell 51 which is preferably made in corresponding but oppositely placed halves each com- )rising a conical section and a discharge portion 52, being flanged as indicated at 53 by which the same is suitably connected in its proper position above the retort providing a discharge passage. from the supply device to the retort. At the opposite sides of the members of the shell the same are provided with neck sections 54 which may be reinforced and connected to which there is a socket 55 for a hopper 56. Circumferentially at their larger ends the sections of the shell are also provided with shoulders 57 and 57. Each of these shoulders is fitted with a flange indicated respectively at 58 and 59 and by which, through means of suitable bolts 60, or otherwise, with a gasket (51 intervening between the flanges and 59, the parts of the shell of the supply device are connected.

Within the shell employ a drum 62. As illustrated the drum is constructed to include conical end portions 63 and a cylindrical central section 63. The conical end sections of the drum are adapted to fit within the conical portions of the casing and the width of the cylindrical section of the drum is substantially the same as the distance between the inner faces of tie shoulders 57 and 57 of the casing. In a predetermined position in the central cylindrical section of the drum there is an inlet and discharge opening (34. The length of this opening may be as desired and the width thereof is preferably coextensive with the width of the central cylindrical section of the drum. Mounted on this central cylindrical section of the drum there is a ring 65 which is secured thereto by means of a series of stud bolts 01' screws 66. This ring 65 is coextensive with a cylindrical section of the drum circum- M NYE ft 2:61.. {I a RTHZEUI? ti N 33 hi i 63 ferentially with the section of the opening therein, the faces at the ends of the ring forming continua-tions of this opening and being made parallel to each other in planes parallel to a vertically disposed plane passing through the longitudinal center of the supply device. Furthermore as clearly shown in Fig. 4 this ring member fits and operates in the pocket provided therefor as indicated at 67 by the shoulders 57 and 57 of the casing.

Atthe ends of the drum there are shafts 68 and 69. These are suitably connected to the drum and journaled in bearings provided therefor in the casing which bearings as indicated in Fig. 2 may be constructed with pockets for packing as indicated at and 71 respectively in order to make the joints tight between the parts of the drum and the shafts thereof and the bearings in which the same are mounted.

As will be understood there is an opening in the outer portions of the shoulders 57 and 57 and the flanges 58 and 59 corresponding in length with the opening 64k and as will now be understood the edges at the outer faces of the ends of the ring 65 as indicated at '72 and 73 respectively act as scrapers to prevent any accumulation of the heavier volatiles from entering between the drum and the shell. Furthermore as the corners as shown at 74t between the end conical portions of the drum and the central cylindrical portion thereof are coincident with the corners between the conical portions of the shell sections and the shoulders thereof it is substantially impossible for the heavier volatiles to work their way between the drum and the shell. The apparatus is practically self-cleaning and will not become clogged or its operation interfered with by any accumulation of the heavier volatiles between the drum and the shell in which the drum turns.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be seen that one of the shafts of the drum, for example the shaft 68, may be provided with a worm gear 7 5 meshing with worm 76 mounted on a shaft 77, which shaft by a suitable coupling or otherwise is connected to the shaft 7 S of the motor 39 by the operation of which the drum may be turned continuously at a predetermined speed or inter mittently as may be required so that as the drum revolves the material to be treated which is supplied to the hopper is conveyed from the hopper to the interior of the drum through the opening in the neck of the shell and through the opening 64 into the drum when the drum is in one position, and when the drum is in the diametrically opposite position the charge thus delivered to the drum is discharged through the opening 64 and through the passage in the discharge connection 52 to the interior of the retort and that in so doing the retort is not open at any time to the atmosphere and consequently the vacuum which it may be neces sary to maintain therein is not broken.

It will furthermore be understood that the device indicated diagrammatically at t7 in Fig. 1 may be constructed in substantially the same manner as the supply device hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for supplying or remov ing material from a retort or the like comprising a casing, a drum having conical ends revoluble in the casing, and a hopper, there being an opening in the drum and a discharge passage leading from the casing whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is brought alternately into communication with the hopper to permit the material therein to pass into the drum and with the discharge passage from the casing to then permit the material in the drum to be delivered therefrom.

2. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like comprising a casing, a drum having conically shaped ends revoluble in the casing, and a. hopper above the casing, there being an opening in the drum and a passage from the casing whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is alternately brought into communication with the hopper to receive material therefrom, and with the said passage to discharge the material from the drum.

3. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like comprising a divided casing, means for connecting the parts of the casing, a drum having conical ends revoluble in the parts of the casing and a hopper above the casing, there being an opening in the drum and a passage from the casing whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is alternately brought into communication with the hopper to receive material therefrom, and with the said passage to discharge the material from the drum.

4. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like comprising a two part casing, each of the parts of which are conical and provided in opposite positions with an inlet and an outlet, a drum having conical ends adapted to revolve in the conical sections of the casing, a hopper above the casing, there being an opening in the drum whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is brought alternately into communication with the inlet opening in the casing permitting material in the hopper to pass into the interior of the drum and with the outlet opening in the casing permitting the material in the drum to be discharged therefrom.

5. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like, comprising a two part casing, the parts of Which are conical and provided with flanged shoulders, means for connecting the flanged shoulders to secure the members of the casing together, a drum having conical ends revoluble in the saidconical sections of the casing in which in oppositely disposed positions there are inlet and outlet passages, and a hopper above the easing, therebeing an opening in the drum which in the operation thereof is brought alternately in position to register with the intake opening in the casing to permit material to pass from the hopper to the drum and with the outlet opening in the casing to permit the contents of the drum to pass therefrom.

6. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like comprising a two part casing, the parts of which are conical and provided with flanged shoulders, means for connecting the flanged shoulders to secure the members of the casing together, a hopper above the casing, a drum having conical ends adapted to .tit and revolve in the conical sections of the casing and a central cylindrical section of the same width as the space between the shoulders of the sections 01"- the casing, a ring secured to the said central cylindrical section of the drum and fitting within the space between the shoulders on the sections of the casing, the casing being provided with oppositely disposed inlet and outlet passages and the central cylindrical portion of the drum and its ring with an opening whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is alternately brought in position to register with the inlet passage in the casing to permit material to pass from the hopper to the drum and then into registration with the discharge passage in the casing to permit the material in the drum to pass therefrom.

7. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like, comprising a two part casing, each of the parts of which are conical and provided in opposite positions with an inlet and an outlet, a drum having conical ends adapted to revolve in the conical sections of the casing, a hopper above the casing, there bein an opening in the drum whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is brought alternately into communication with the inlet opening in the casing permitting mater1al 1n the hopper to pass into the interlor of the drum and with the discharge opening in the casing permitting the material in the drum to de discharged therettrom, and means for turning the said drum in the casing.

8. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like, comprising a two part casing, the parts of which are conical and provided with flanged shoulders, means for connecting the flanged shoulders to secure the members ofthe casing together, a drum having conical ends revoluble in the said conical sections of the casing in which in oppositely disposed positions there is an inlet and an outlet passage, a hopper above the casing, there being an opening in the drum which in the operation thereof is brought alternately in position to register with the inlet passage in the casing to permit material to pass from the hopper to the orum and with the outlet passage in the casing to permit the contents of the drum to pass therefrom, and means for turning the said drum in the casing.

9. An apparatus for supplying material to a retort and the like, comprising a two part casing, the parts of which are conical and provided with flanged shoulders, means for connecting the flanged shoulders to se cure the members of the casing together, a hopper above the casing, a drum having conical ends adapted to lit and revolve in the conical sections of the casing and a central cylindrical section of the same width as the space between the shoulders of the sections of tie casing, a ring secured t said central cylindrical section of the drum and fitting within the space between the shoulders on the sections oi the casing, the casing being provided with oppositely dis-- posed inlet and outlet passages and the central cylindrical portion of the drum and its ring with an opening whereby in the operation of the drum the opening therein is alternately brought into position to register with the inlet passage in the casing to permit material to pass "from the hopper to the drum and then into registration with the discharge passage in the casing to permit the material in the drum to pass therefrom, and means for turning the said drum in the casing.

Signed by me this 19th day of June, 1924.

JOSIAH BRADLEY. 

